Rotors

[Monty's 340]

Hey all, working on a 72 Challenger and would like to keep the original hubs and just replace the press on rotors, anyone been there/done that? Looking for a supplier. If no will have to use aftermarket rotors and hubs.

Thanks in advance.

Cheers

 

[pschlosser]

They're designed to be replaced. Give your local auto parts store a try, first. You may find they have replacements. I like NAPA Auto Parts, but the other chains may have them, too.

 

[tullm]

Hey all, working on a 72 Challenger and would like to keep the original hubs and just replace the press on rotors, anyone been there/done that? Looking for a supplier. If no will have to use aftermarket rotors and hubs.

Thanks in advance.

Cheers

I'm not aware of anyone making the 10.97" disc part of the rotor but I occasionally see usable two piece rotors for sale though. I spent some time online looking and did find suppliers offering two piece rotors but they didn't appear close enough to work for our application. Please let us know if you find otherwise. Good luck!

 

[6PKRTSE]

I was able to get replacement rotors from our local auto parts store. They even looked correct. Matched perfectly.

 

[tullm]

@6PKRTSE
I may have miss understood the original post. I read the original post as wanting the outer disc part of the rotor in order to retain the original hub (i.e. two piece rotor). It sounds like you're referring to one piece rotor/hubs usually available through most online and brick-and-mortar parts stores?

The attached images are random from the internet to further explain what I was referring to. The hubs are Mopar Kelsey Hayes and the disc rotor is the first image I could find just to show an example.

It would be fantastic if anyone can find a new disc to work with the original hubs.

 

[Adam]

They're designed to be replaced. Give your local auto parts store a try, first. You may find they have replacements. I like NAPA Auto Parts, but the other chains may have them, too.

Yes. It’s easier to replace the whole thing and Rockauto has the Raybestos rotor/hub combo for $51 each. But if the guy wants to keep the original hubs for some reason I wonder if the rotor could be separated from the new hub.

 

[Bret Schneider]

I doubt that you'll find such a thing. What would lock the hub to the rotor? Relying on just a pressed on fit would be asking for trouble that I can't imagine any manufacturer would be willing to risk. Imagine slamming on the brakes and the rotor clamping to the caliper but breaking free from the hub... not good. The only time I've come across replaceable rotor discs is on applications where the hub and rotor are locked together by the wheel studs. Pretty common on front wheel drive cars and heavier pickups.

 

[Adam]

I doubt that you'll find such a thing. What would lock the hub to the rotor? Relying on just a pressed on fit would be asking for trouble that I can't imagine any manufacturer would be willing to risk. Imagine slamming on the brakes and the rotor clamping to the caliper but breaking free from the hub... not good. The only time I've come across replaceable rotor discs is on applications where the hub and rotor are locked together by the wheel studs. Pretty common on front wheel drive cars and heavier pickups.

I believe it is just the studs, and if hammered out the rotor will separate from the hub. I have done this a few times on other cars. Look at the long shoulder on the studs.

 

[Monty's 340]

@6PKRTSE
I may have miss understood the original post. I read the original post as wanting the outer disc part of the rotor in order to retain the original hub (i.e. two piece rotor). It sounds like you're referring to one piece rotor/hubs usually available through most online and brick-and-mortar parts stores?

The attached images are random from the internet to further explain what I was referring to. The hubs are Mopar Kelsey Hayes and the disc rotor is the first image I could find just to show an example.

It would be fantastic if anyone can find a new disc to work with the original hubs.

View attachment 133494

View attachment 133495

Yes, that is exactly what I'm searching for. If any one has a source please post!!!

 

[Steve340]

I believe Moparmall were advertising them at one point.

 

[Monty's 340]

@6PKRTSE
I may have miss understood the original post. I read the original post as wanting the outer disc part of the rotor in order to retain the original hub (i.e. two piece rotor). It sounds like you're referring to one piece rotor/hubs usually available through most online and brick-and-mortar parts stores?

The attached images are random from the internet to further explain what I was referring to. The hubs are Mopar Kelsey Hayes and the disc rotor is the first image I could find just to show an example.

It would be fantastic if anyone can find a new disc to work with the original hubs.

View attachment 133494

View attachment 133495

Yes, that is exactly what I'm searching for. If any one has a source please post!!!

I doubt that you'll find such a thing. What would lock the hub to the rotor? Relying on just a pressed on fit would be asking for trouble that I can't imagine any manufacturer would be willing to risk. Imagine slamming on the brakes and the rotor clamping to the caliper but breaking free from the hub... not good. The only time I've come across replaceable rotor discs is on applications where the hub and rotor are locked together by the wheel studs. Pretty common on front wheel drive cars and heavier pickups.

The studs protrude through the brake rotor from the hub and the brake rotor is press fitted onto the center flange of the hub so it becomes a fixed unit.

 

[Bret Schneider]

"The studs protrude through the brake rotor from the hub and the brake rotor is press fitted onto the center flange of the hub so it becomes a fixed unit."

After thinking about it a little more it makes sense that the original hub/rotor would have to be built that way. The engineers wouldn't have relied only upon a press fit between the hub and rotor. Pressing a replacement rotor perfectly straight onto the hub seems like it would be difficult proposition though without a dedicated press such as the parts manufacturer would have. The slightest bit of misalignment at the hub would cause significant rotor run out.

Could be that some company makes them though. Good luck with your search.

 

[pschlosser]

Are we over thinking this? Are not the vintage disc brake systems just like the modern day 1-piece disc rotor systems? By modern-day, I mean:

The disc rotor does not necessarily have a hard and solid connection to the wheel hub, per se. The rotor floats, so to speak. It is held in place, primarily by the wheel studs going through it, and the lug nuts sandwiching the rotor between the the rim/wheel and the hub.

When I've replaced rotors, I have to remove the wheel, then the caliper swinging it out of the way. The rotor practically falls off at that point. There may be 1-2 smaller fasteners holding the rotors to the wheel hub. But those are not at all beefy. They seem like they're just there to keep things aligned for the real work done by the wheel studs and lug nuts.

Over the years of doing disc brake jobs on varying makes and models of cars, I can never recall the need to replace the hub.
I agree there needs to be a good and snug fit of the rotor to the hub, and if your hub has worn such that a new rotor doesn't fit cleanly, then of course, replace it. But that isn't the norm, is it? That's like a rare exception.

When the OP says he wants to keep his original hubs, my first thought was "well, of course, we often keep those and just replace the rotors."

I admit, I have little experience with the two-piece "racing-style" hubs, where the rotor is bolted to an often aluminum hub by several smaller bolts, which in turn bolts to the wheel (or sandwiched by an inner wheel hub with studs and the wheel)

Am I overlooking something? Or is it really as simple as I think? Go to your local auto parts store and they will likely have rotors that will work.

 

[Xcudame]

I think Adam is on the right trail for effectiveness and money. But if you want to shell out some extra cash (nothing wrong with that to be more original) the auto parts option may be the way to go.

 

[Katfish]

2-piece were replaced with a 1-piece rotor after 72. I'd switch over, much safer, you hear stories of the earlier coming apart.
I wouldn't buy anything from him, but video shows difference.
Newer 2 piece designs have the hub BEHIND the rotor, the old Mopar has the hub on the outside.

 

[pschlosser]

2-piece were replaced with a 1-piece rotor after 72. I'd switch over, much safer, you hear stories of the earlier coming apart.

Ahh, so I AM missing something. I watched the video, much clearer now. Thank you for sharing this.

 

[Bret Schneider]

Yes, thanks for posting that video. I wasn't aware that the hub/rotor was ever a two-piece design for Mopars.
That's the best part of these forums... learn something everyday

 

[brotow]

Here is a original 1974 Challenger brake rotor I have.

 

[tullm]

Here is a original 1974 Challenger brake rotor I have.

View attachment 133549

View attachment 133555

I believe 1973-1974 E-Body rotors used larger inner wheel bearings. I don't recall if the outer bearings were same size or larger.

 

[Adam]

I believe 1973-1974 E-Body rotors used larger inner wheel bearings. I don't recall if the outer bearings were same size or larger.

Yes, I believe this is correct. The inner bearing is larger on the later ones and so you need the later spindle. This was the basis for the disc-o-tech article using Cordoba parts, or something. Spindle, caliper bracket, caliper, and 11.75 rotor. Too big for 14 wheels.

I found it:https://www.allpar.com/d3/history/mopar/brakes/disc-main.html